SECTION THE BATTALION Tuesday, November 6, 2001 Long-distance relief Aggies reach out individually, as groups to those in need across the country By Meredith Henslee THE BATTALION 93-0041 IFF laircut little Ap! I20S BUCKS Zs Since the Sept. 11 attacks, America has been irching for, and finding, its own heroes in the men p women who willingly give all that they are to make a pee in the lives of others. ! ln quiet College Station, there are men and women who see a 1 ed in the lives of their countrymen and react without reserve. 9 xasA&M students are giving their thoughts, time and money 1 aid fellow Americans in their greatest time of need. Eric Bethea, a junior finance major, is possibly one of the wmmm ist recognized students involved with the relief effort. As the 1 istermind behind Red, White and Blue Out (RWB Out), ] thea saw a need and reacted. “I was pretty upset over the terrorist attacks,†Bethea d. “I didn’t have a family member or close friend die in i attacks; however, the fact that fellow Americans re killed affects me greatly.†This mindset spurred him to action. _ “I just came up with the idea of Red, White and R ue Out. Several other students [and I] just went 11 speed ahead,†Bethea said. “We never expected lobe such a huge success.†RWB Out’s original goal was to sell 5,000 T- irts to 10,000 T-shirts and raise $15,000. )wever. with such a great response from the stu nt body, the goal was continually raised through- the project and may reach the $250,000 mark if of the posters and T-shirts are sold. Bethea said the student response was incredible. ’The students here are unique, so the incredible sponse in help we received from them was what we pected,†Bethea said. “However, 1 think [the sponse] in itself is a unique response that you would ly find at A&M.†This sentiment was echoed by Holly Hunnicutt, president ; New York City A&M Club. “It’s amazing †she said. “Something you could only expect om A&M.†Alpha Phi Omega, Omega Phi Alpha and ONE ARMY have joined tees to sell T-shirts that read “Ags love (in the form of a heart) NY.†Mary-Katherine Brown, a senior interdisciplinary studies major and e of the project chairs for the sales, said T-shirt sales were the fundraiser of choice because the groups agreed that not only Joulditget their message out to the campus but also would be good way to raise money. JOE PEDEN • THE BATTALION “Personally, this project is very important to me because all of my extended family lives in New York,†Brown said. “I also have a few family members who are involved with the New York Police Department and the New York Fire Department,†Brown said. “They are still at ground zero helping with the recovery effort. I received an email- from one of them saying that they needed help and dona tions even though they are receiving them daily.†The goal of the T-shirt sales was to raise funds for the Clear Channel World Wide Relief Fund, headquar tered in San Antonio. T-shirts were sold for four days campus, and donations such as bottled water, canned food and other non-perishables were collected at grocery stores. “We still do not have a complete total on the funds we raised because we are still handing out T-shirts that were pre-ordered for specific sizes,†Brown said. As with RWB Out, the student response was something to be noted. ‘The student response has been overwhelm ing. They (students) have been so supportive and willing to help,†Brown said. “The stu dents were the ones donating their spare ; change to us at the grocery stores, more so even than adults.†■Regan Miller, a junior accounting major, I also was moved to do her part in helping out. I “We are Americans just like they (the vic tims) are, and I am sure the rest of the nation would try to help like we are,†Miller said. “We have already had our tragedy in November 1999, and we saw the hands of people from all over the country helping us. Now it’s our turn.†Miller helped organize Aggies First Aid Auction, a philanthropic event will be hosted by Aggies First and the American Red Cross. The auc tion will include gifts donated by Greek chapters and other contributors. Of the profits made by this event, 75 percent will go direct ly to the victims in New York via the Red Cross. Miller summed up the sentiments of all students who have been involved in one way or another in helping to raise money and collect sup plies to send to the victims of the Sept. 11 tragedies. “We want to make a difference in the lives of the victims and help give back some of the things taken away,†Miller said. “It’s the right thing to do, and if we didn’t help them, who would?†offer. Expires^l'.'-j I 1 SPECI! (j just ’14.7! , Golf Corf at the TEXAS HALL OF FAME Saturday, November 17 th Tickets only $ 30. On sale now at Cavender s Boot City (696-8800) and Catalena Hatters (822-4423) Doors open at 8 p.m. Ages 18 Sc up CONGRATULATIONS! Join the Celebration at the Clayton W. Williams, Jr. Alumni Center NOVEMBER 8TH RING DELIVERY Tickets distributed throughout the day, beginmng at 7:15 a.m. You must have a numbered ticket to get your Ring. Festivities begin at 2 p.m. Ring distribution starts at 3 p.m. and ends at 6 p.m. FREE REFRESHMENTS, PHOTO, GAMES AND MUSIC Texas Aggie Artist, Benjamin Knox ’90, personalizing the “Historic Aggie Ring†You must bring your pink receipt and driver’s license to pick up your Ring. If you do not have your pink receipt, please bring your student ID and driver’s license. SPONSORED BY The Association —2^— 4 OF FORMER STUDENTS lA/e^aA£y The, Aggie, NetcuonJc!